Barrie Colts Sports Science and Performance Department
The Barrie Colts launch the OHL’s first Sports Science & Performance Department.
The Barrie Colts have partnered with Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre, Mind to Muscle Strength & Conditioning Centre and Georgian College’s Exercise Physiology Lab to launch the first and only Sports Science and Performance Department in the OHL.
The goal of the new department is to optimize our players on ice performance as well as off-ice development. This will be achieved by employing various tests and player evaluations. Biomechanics, Physiology, Nutrition, Mental/Emotional and Performance analysis will give coaches and medical staff invaluable insight into individual needs, allowing us to push the developmental potential of every player.
“I am very excited for this launch and I could not have done it without our great partners Sports Med, M2M and Georgian College. I presented this idea to management months ago and they bought in right away; they believe in this program and believe in myself” said Barrie Colts Head Athletic Therapist and Strength Coach, Jimmy McKnight. “I am grateful for this opportunity and hope it will help us win a championship. We are fortunate enough to compete in one of the world’s greatest developmental leagues and it is efforts like this that will keep us at the top” he added.
Sports Science departments have become very prevalent at the professional level, with teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs leading the way. The Colts believe that this program will help with player development and performance, and play a significant role in our ultimate goal of bringing a championship home to Barrie.
“This league is so incredibly competitive that you need to keep finding every advantage you can get. This program will allow us to find that ‘next level’ and hopefully give us a leg up on the rest of the teams in this league” said Barrie Colts General Manager and Head Scout, Jason Ford.
The Barrie Colts are very pleased to partner with Sports Medicine and Mind to Muscle, with whom we’ve had a tremendous relationship with since our inception. The Colts have selected Sports Medicine and Mind to Muscle because they have been industry leaders in athletic performance and injury care for over 30 years. The Colts are excited to be leaders in a new Sports Science program that will enhance our players’ development and performance.
Mind to Muscle is the most successful athletic training centre in Simcoe County, recognized as the facility of choice for athletes committed to maximizing potential. They employ experienced coaches with the highest levels of professional designations and credentials in the field of Strength and Conditioning. Mind to Muscle has been training local athletes for 25 years and provides testing, training and athlete performance programs.
The Sports Science and Performance Department is also thrilled that Georgian College has joined forces with us. The College will be providing access to their Exercise Physiology Lab so that our players can be tested using state-of-the-art equipment. This relationship also gives Georgian students the unique opportunity to work alongside and test our high level athletes, who are striving to become some of the best hockey players in the country.
“We are not dealing with regular teenagers — these are high level athletes. They need to be pushed and they want to be pushed. And when the individual athlete is getting better, so is the team” said Barrie Colts Head Coach, Dale Hawerchuk.
This program will kick off next week at Barrie Colts Training Camp.
Photo left to right: Rick Schaly (President of Sports Medicine and Mind to Muscle), Jimmy McKnight (Head Athletic Therapist and Strength Coach) and Greg Eskedjian (Team Nutritionist)
Department Staff:
Jimmy McKnight – Head Athletic Therapist and Strength Coach
Greg Eskedjian – Team Nutritionist
Dr. Ian Maxwell – Team Physician
Dr. Gord A. Crawford – Team Surgeon
Paul Matheson – Skating Development Coach
Paul Henry – Sports Psychologist
For more information about this program please contact:
Jimmy McKnight
Head Athletic Therapist & Strength Coach
[email protected]
705-737-4613
